The Australian horse-racing industry faces heavy losses as the country’s first outbreak of equine influenza rapidly spreads around the nation, forcing authorities to cancel all race meetings.

Ian MacDonald, primary industries minister for New South Wales, said the highly contagious virus had spread to more than 50 properties in the state, with at least 400 horses appearing to show symptoms. By Monday night, there were more than 50 confirmed cases, including at least one in Queensland.